Air Traffic Control Systems

Abstract

To support the Air Force worldwide flying mission, this program element funds research, development, and management of new air traffic control communications, surveillance, automation, positioning, and precision approach and landing systems. When applicable, this includes joint efforts with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and coordination with the International Civil Aviation Organization and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. ATCALS development funding currently focuses on Air Traffic Control (ATC) Future Technology (AFT)(formerly referred to as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen ATS)), Notice to Airmen (NOTAMs) software development, and development of of a Man-Portable Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) electronically scanned antenna. The program name was changed to more accurately reflect the scope of the effort which includes military and civil capabilities/requirements. In order to enable safe and efficient military flight operations in a changing global airspace, the ATC Future Technology effort is designed to identify the warfighter's emerging airspace needs, analyze technologies, formulate requirements and positions, and advise DoD aviation and air traffic communities. These efforts support the 2018 NDAA National Defense Strategy approach to "generate decisive and sustained U.S. military advantages" by enabling "forward force maneuver and posture resilience" through the research and development of technology and strategies that support adaptive, agile basing concepts of operations while providing ATCALS capabilities necessary to ensure enduring, resilient, efficient and safe air operations. ATC Future Technology will "evolve innovative operational concepts" by modernizing airfield operations and providing adaptive ATC services and systems appropriate for the current environment, which will bolster "Dynamic Force Employment" through scalable employment operations and globally deployable forces for the four layers of the "Global Operating Model: "contact, blunt, surge, and homeland". FY22 efforts will continue to research and develop new technologies in the areas of aircraft launch and recovery for both fixed and expeditionary operations; operations in Global Positioning System (GPS) denied environments; military and civil airspace interoperability; optimization of flight operations; expeditionary technology development and prototyping; DoD/AF or civil US and international mandates (e.g., Mode-5); improved Notice to Airmen (NOTAMs) software capabilities; conduct of service operational test and evaluations as required; mitigation of windfarm interference (e.g., with Infill Radars); technology and evaluation of new civil air traffic control and landing system technologies that may have military utility to include an Early Operational Assessment (EOA) of Remote Virtual ATC Tower System technology, and Man-Portable TACAN antenna technology. As these technologies and architectures mature, fixed base and deployable ground system upgrades will be coordinated and fielded concurrently with related aircraft avionics capabilities that may be required (manned and unmanned). ATC Future Technology analysis and recommendations may be captured in program charters and incorporated into the ATC Future Technology Strategic Roadmap. When implemented, these efforts will enable DoD aircraft to take advantage of new technologies and operational capabilities, to enhance safety, security, efficiency, affordability, and flight operations. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver the ATCALS weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605831F. In FY20 $0.000M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY21 $0.000M is forecasted for civilian pay expenses in this program element. This program is in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development because this budget activity includes development efforts to upgrade systems that have been fielded or have received approval for full rate production and anticipate production funding in the current or subsequent fiscal year.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2022
• Source ID: 673587_0305114F_7_3600_PB_2022

Tags

Fields of Study

• Engineering

Readers

• Aerospace Engineering.
• Aviation Safety and Air Traffic Management
• Military Science and Technology Research and Modernization.

Technology Areas

• Autonomy
• Autonomy - UAVs
• Microelectronics
• Space